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Hepatitis C Main Forums => On Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: HealthGal3 on February 11, 2016, 01:58:16 pm

Title: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: HealthGal3 on February 11, 2016, 01:58:16 pm
Hi All

Just about finished with my 12 week regime on Harvoni. (Yea!)  The last
month was pretty much a breeze. I've also have my energy level back to
normal.  No more fatigue.

My last blood work up was 1/18/16 and don't need anymore for 4 weeks.

Keep the faith everyone...the end is near.  The medicine does work!

HCV RNA <15 IU/ml   not detected!
HCV RNA <1.18 Log IU/ml  not detected!
AST 18
ALT 11
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: KimInTheForest on February 11, 2016, 02:47:51 pm
Fantastic HealthGal! Finish line in sight. :)

kim
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: HealthGal3 on February 11, 2016, 03:57:57 pm
Hi Kim

So now I know who you are from your picture.  Thanks for the cheer!  Glad your cured too!  Now we have to hang in there for support to the newbies.

Keep in touch.

HealthGal

Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: jakas on February 11, 2016, 04:19:28 pm
Great result. :)
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: HealthGal3 on February 11, 2016, 05:50:28 pm
Jakes

Thanks!  How much longer do you have on the medicine?  Have you noticed a big difference in results?  You should post them each time you do blood work up so we can cheer.you on.

Hang in.

HealthGal
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: slats1056 on February 11, 2016, 11:39:43 pm
 HealthGal3,  Great news. Your in the Home stretch. You got this. Happy for You!

  I TRIED TO ACT NORMAL. WORST 5 MINUTES OF MY LIFE! :) :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: HealthGal3 on February 12, 2016, 08:36:30 am
Thanks, Slats.

You know, this is like a weight off one's shoulder.  It's amazing how, without realizing it, my personality has changed in everyday living.  I feel like a freed prisoner of this disease.  What a release!  I'm no longer thinking about sickness and being a pirarha among people.

Koodoes to you for kicking it out of the park!  Yea!

HealthGal
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: jakas on February 12, 2016, 03:46:20 pm
Just done bloods  twice one for the viral load and other one LFT
i HAVE 9 WEEKS NOW 3 MORE TO GO ON hARVONI. I feel better but still tired. I know it takes time. At the start my ALT WAS AROUND 200 and AST 170 SO THEY ARE BOTH DOWN TO 34 AND 35. The V/L was 900000 its less than 25 so its working
The real test for me is EOT 12 weeks.
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: Else on February 12, 2016, 03:53:54 pm
Wooo-hooo, HealthyGal.  That handle suits you - those are some SWEET looking labs!  :D
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: BillT on February 12, 2016, 04:27:47 pm
Very nice HealthGal,and welcome to the other side. 8)
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: HealthGal3 on February 12, 2016, 05:09:37 pm
Thanks Bill & Else for the Yays!  You guys did good too!

Great, Else for posting your results.  Time is now on your side and each day will get better!

Healthy Gal
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: AussieRosa on February 13, 2016, 07:28:51 am
Way to go, HealthGal! Best of luck to you.
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: HealthGal3 on February 13, 2016, 08:50:55 am
Thanks, AussieRosa

Tell me, are you not taking Harvoni?  Do you have any test results yet?

HealthGal
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: BillT on February 13, 2016, 09:16:27 am
Hey Else,You got some pretty sweet looking labs there yourself. 8)
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: Else on February 13, 2016, 11:00:24 am
Thanks for the reminder Bill.  I'll be grateful to be updating those soon!
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: FutureThinker on February 13, 2016, 11:16:08 am
HealthGal3, since I now know I'll be starting Harvoni in the next 2 weeks, I so hope to be posting good news like yours!! The primary symptom I'm hoping to see improve is fatigue....... I am so tired of being tired! Fighting with the insurance company is also a huge stress, so maybe just THAT will help.  Everyone needs to appeal to whoever they can to get treatment and be able to live their lives fully. Thank God there's a state IMR option for us, 'cause my insurance co. wasn't going to budge. FT
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: dragonslayerinprogress on February 13, 2016, 12:42:23 pm
Great news. On Week 4 now of Solvadi and Ribavirin.
Got hit with the flu on Monday so it's been a really bad week. Trying to keep it from going into my chest.
Don't have all my labwork but it's a very slight improvement as far as alt, ast, albumin, billirubin, and platelets. VL isn't in yet and my hemoglobin is 12.2

I feel just like you in the way that when this is over and I'm cured, I am going to see a huge difference in attitude. Not having to worry about this disease. Praying for it to all go well and that I can live happy!
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: FutureThinker on February 13, 2016, 12:47:29 pm
Absolutely, Dragonslayerinprogress! WE DESERVE THIS, we are not asking for something off-the-wall.  I, like you, am really looking forward now, now that I can.
Sorry to hear about the flu, drink your fluids!! I think I'm still in shock to know I am finally going to start treatment, seems like a dream (vs. the nightmare of fighting for it!).  FT
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: HealthGal3 on February 13, 2016, 04:59:51 pm
Hi there, Future Thinker.

Welcome!!  Yes...fatigue was a big part of my life before and during treatment.  It got to where, come 4:00 pm I was exhausted.  Just remember to rest if you need to and drink plenty of fluids.  Flush, Flush, Flush.

Getting approved for me was based upon a FibreScan score.  I don't know if I should be grateful that my score qualified, but I am.  Are you getting assistance
from Gilead for Harvoni?  Give me a shout out if you need some financial advice on paying for the drug.

Keep us posted on your labs and good luck!

HealthGal
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: AussieRosa on February 14, 2016, 12:45:58 am
Thanks, AussieRosa

Tell me, are you not taking Harvoni?  Do you have any test results yet?

HealthGal

Hi, HealthGal  :)
I'm on the Viekira Pak + Ribavirin. Only 4 weeks in, so far. No bloods done yet apart from a FBE that showed the beginnings of a drop in HGB. I get a VL and LFTs done tomorrow, but it will be a couple of weeks before I get any results on those. Hard to tell with the Riba fatigue if it's working yet.
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: HazelAustralia on February 14, 2016, 03:35:46 am
Great news HealthGal3! Freedom...
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: HealthGal3 on February 14, 2016, 08:53:14 am
Hi, HealthGal  :)
I'm on the Viekira Pak + Ribavirin. Only 4 weeks in, so far. No bloods done yet apart from a FBE that showed the beginnings of a drop in HGB. I get a VL and LFTs done tomorrow, but it will be a couple of weeks before I get any results on those. Hard to tell with the Riba fatigue if it's working yet.

AR

If your genotype 1, did your doctor say why he preferred Viekira+RIBA over Harvoni?  I'm just curious, was it because of the difficulty you had in getting accepted by the insurance company.  The effects from your drug will probably be somewhat different from those of us who took Harvoni.

HealthGal
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: FutureThinker on February 14, 2016, 11:18:14 am
Thanks, HealthGal!!  I will be calling Gilead this week to learn more about this process and if I quality for any assistance.  Sounds like I will be starting meds in 1-2 weeks once the IMR results are processed by all parties. I am just so very grateful this day has finally come and I have already started drinking more water in preparation!  FT
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: HealthGal3 on February 14, 2016, 12:33:57 pm
Thanks, HealthGal!!  I will be calling Gilead this week to learn more about this process and if I quality for any assistance.  Sounds like I will be starting meds in 1-2 weeks once the IMR results are processed by all parties. I am just so very grateful this day has finally come and I have already started drinking more water in preparation!  FT

FT

Your doctor should be handling this with the appointed pharmacy and should be applied for now so you will be covered by the time you start Meds.  Check into it because it's a process.

Good luck!

HealthGal
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: AussieRosa on February 14, 2016, 09:58:43 pm
AR

If your genotype 1, did your doctor say why he preferred Viekira+RIBA over Harvoni?  I'm just curious, was it because of the difficulty you had in getting accepted by the insurance company.  The effects from your drug will probably be somewhat different from those of us who took Harvoni.

HealthGal

Ribavirin with VPak is standard for GT 1A. I'm on this combo, rather than Harvoni, because I'm part of a clinical trial. Harvoni isn't yet available on our pharmaceutical benefit scheme here (neither is VPak, actually). It soon will be available for all and covered by the government health care system. If I'd waited a few months I would have gone that route, but I wanted to be sure I got at least 12 weeks of treatment, and this opportunity presented itself, so I grabbed it. The trial isn't to test the efficacy of the meds. It's to test whether it's cheaper to treat in a community clinic setting rather than a hospital based outpatient clinic.
Rosa
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: HealthGal3 on February 14, 2016, 10:07:25 pm
Ribavirin with VPak is standard for GT 1A. I'm on this combo, rather than Harvoni, because I'm part of a clinical trial. Harvoni isn't yet available on our pharmaceutical benefit scheme here (neither is VPak, actually). It soon will be available for all and covered by the government health care system. If I'd waited a few months I would have gone that route, but I wanted to be sure I got at least 12 weeks of treatment, and this opportunity presented itself, so I grabbed it. The trial isn't to test the efficacy of the meds. It's to test whether it's cheaper to treat in a community clinic setting rather than a hospital based outpatient clinic.
Rosa

I apologize, AR, I didn't know you hadn't the drug available there.  Keep in touch with members who have taken Vpak w/Ribo, the side effects are different.  Glad to hear you took the opportunity to start treatment.

Keep us up to date.

HealthGal
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: FutureThinker on February 15, 2016, 01:55:09 am
HealthGal3, thanks again and I will look into it w/ my doc -- FT
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: Forest dweller on March 12, 2016, 05:54:57 pm
Yay Healthygal!!!
I am on day 12 Harvoni and the last two days have been amazing!!  I too am doing things other friends have helped me with for years!!!
Will post my blood work at the end of March. 

I have to admit the first week was weird,and then roller coaster body symptoms for a couple of days,one am almost threw up the $1000.00 pill but held my ground and got through it..hope this keeps up.
Title: Re: 3 More Days To Go!
Post by: HealthGal3 on March 12, 2016, 07:33:44 pm
Yay Healthygal!!!
I am on day 12 Harvoni and the last two days have been amazing!!  I too am doing things other friends have helped me with for years!!!
Will post my blood work at the end of March. 

I have to admit the first week was weird,and then roller coaster body symptoms for a couple of days,one am almost threw up the $1000.00 pill but held my ground and got through it..hope this keeps up.

Hey Forest Dweller

Glad to hear your side effects are not so bad.  It's kind of how I felt in the beginning.  Just remember to keep pumping those fluids to flush out your system.  You might experience ups and downs, but when you reach the end...it's all gravey.

I finished my treatment 4 weeks ago and have been feeling fine.  My latest blood work still showed no virus and liver enzymes normal.  I will post this on another topic.

Keep us posted on your health and results.

HealthGal